The first men on top of the world

On May 25 the second assault party, Hillary and Tenzing, left Camp IV. Edmund
Hillary makes a quick check of their oxygen equipment, which they used all
the way to conserve their energies. Tenzing’s ice-axe is prepared for the
top, with flags wrapped round its shaft.

Images taken from The Conquest of Everest, Original Photographs from the
'Legendary First Ascent' by George Lowe and Huw Lewis-Jones; (Thames &
Hudson; £24.95). Available from the Telegraph
bookshop.